What Separates Us

It's no secret that I was off my workout game for a while, about six months. And it had been even longer since I worked out at 24 Hour Fitness. But, now that I'm back at it, at 24 Hour Fitness. I've noticed something.

I see the same familiar faces. The tiny, fierce lady who is always going hard on The StairMaster, the buffed guy, Marcus, who is always lifting, and the older couple who always team up side-by-side on the elliptical machines.

Working out had become a very big part of my life (it is a big part of my life) and I logged a lot of hours at the gym. I met a lot of people there. Recently, I ran into, Allen, a young energetic fella I used to joke around with. We chatted a little. I told him I was just now getting back at it, after a hiatus. Very nonchalantly, he said, "It makes no difference. You're here. We're here. That's what separates us."

Allen's right. It's a choice. It's a commitment. It's a lifestyle. It's not about once or twice. It's not about one day, one week, or one month. It's about doing it again and again and again. And If there's a bump in the road, which there will be. Adjust to the bump and continue down the road.

I'm far from being an athlete. Nor, am I the strongest gal in the gym. But,what I am is, committed. I realize that this get fit thing is a lifestyle. I also realize that I can't lose the weight or become fit if I quit. So, I continue on. I don't have to, but I choose to. It's not that I'm better or stronger. It's not that Allen is better or stronger. Okay, maybe he is. But, what separates us is our willingness, our commitment.

Habits

Despite not wanting to. I did. 

Sleepy. Low energy. Unenthused. I went.

See, the thing is I'm just now getting back into a workout routine.  So, I don't want to miss a workout -- especially because of a lame excuse like I'm sleepy.

I'm trying to form a habit. Forming a habit takes consistency. You know, doing the same thing again and again. Over and over. Day in. Day out. And when it comes to working out -- doing it even when you don't want to.
 
To establish a routine and form a habit -- here's my approach:

- I've started with a small goal. I don't want to overwhelm myself.  Three times a week for now. Once the routine is engrained. I'll add another class or two (Yoga, Weight Training, etc.).

- I'll attend the same class (5:30 a.m. Cycling M,W,F) for a month. This establishes a pattern. Once the habit is formed I'll be more flexible on days and  times.
 
- First day, I introduced myself to the instructor.  This gives me someone to be accountable to. Even if I let myself down. I won't let him down.

- The night before, I set out my workout clothes, underclothes, socks, tennis shoes, towel, and fill water bottle. Preparation equals success. Besides, it gives me a few extra minutes to sleep in.

- Stay away from the negative thoughts. Instead, replace these thoughts with positive,
upbeat messages. The mind is powerful.

So, this morning despite not wanting to. I did. And I'm glad. I feel energized, accomplished, good.

Legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi said: 

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” 

I'm not going there!

Instead, I'm with Aristotle:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Life happens

It was nice to see that I'm still on the Wall of Success @ 24 Hour

A hiatus. A bump in the road.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. Now, I'm looking at my calendar, realizing -- I haven't worked out at a gym since November. I know. That's insane! Since I started my bid to weight loss and fitness three and a half years ago, working out had become like breathing air for me. But somehow everything else in my life became a priority and time slipped away.

Here's what I know:

- Life happens. When it does we make adjustments. We grow. We move on. It was a bump in the road, but nothing that I can't overcome. Heck, I'm the gal who lost 15 pounds while rehabbing a broken leg. This ain't NOTHING.

- This isn't a fad. I want to be healthy forever. I don't measure my success in the span of days, weeks, or months -- see previous blog post. This is my life. My entire life. I'll keep working at being healthy and fit.

- We all need folks in our lives to keep us on track, keep us accountable, and help us be the best we can be. I'm fortunate to have an awesome support system.

Fitness and optimal health require a commitment. I'm committed. I was off track a little bit, but now I'm ready to get back on course. I've re-enrolled at 24-Hour Fitness and am ready to get back in action! Plenty of workout updates forthcoming...

I'll miss my friends at Northwest Personal Training, but this is the best choice for me, right now.

Zumba Memories

Rehabbing a fractured leg couldn't keep me away

For months. Day in. Day out. An eager group of women -- myself included -- filed in, scurrying to claim our spots and packing the room like sardines. The crowded, sweaty room never bothered us -- not too much anyway. We were too caught up in the rapture. Too caught up in the Latin rhythms, Hip Hop beats, and African drums. Oh, what fun we had shaking our hips, stomping our feet, laughing in Zumba.

The days I spent shaking my hips and laughing with the ladies were the early days of my self-discovery and weight loss journey. For me, it was a time where I met new friends, discovered things about myself, unleashed inhibitions, melted inches off of my waist -- while having a blast! In retrospect, the months that I spent in those countless Zumba classes were really when Chrisetta became alive.

Recently, a Zumba favorite came on in rotation while I was listening to my iPod. It brought back memories, Zumba memories. I soon found myself listening to Zumba tune, after Zumba tune. The music started getting really good and before I knew it I was up on my feet shaking it a little! Funny, I still remember some of the choreography. 

I was so moved by the music, I paused just for a moment to post a Facebook message to my Zumba friends, calling for a Zumba reunion. I surmised from my friends responses that they too felt the same. Those Zumba months were a very special time in all of our lives. For different reasons. Though it wasn't said, it was implied. We all needed each other, for one reason or another.  But, the season has passed. That's not a bad thing. It's a good thing. We've grown. We've moved on. Yes, we're still friends. Sure, we still love Zumba. But, the season has ended. Our time together in that capacity has expired. See previous blog post about reasons and seasons here.

We bonded in Zumba. We changed in Zumba. We had the time of our lives in Zumba. Through music. Through Salsa and Merengue. Through laughter.

Thanks Zumba for the friends, the smaller waists, and the memories.

Found

Found: The gal with the go get it spirit at the gym. 

She's been spotted at: Northwest Personal Training, 24 Hour Fitness Columbia Tech, walking the hilly Mt.Tabor Park, and today there was a sighting of her laughing, shaking hips, stomping feet to "Boogie Wonderland" in Rodney's Funky Rhythms class at Firstenburg Community Center. 

It's been a while, but after stringing together two solid weeks of workouts consisting of a variety of classes in a few locations -- I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Over the past few months, I'll admit I had lost my way a little, but I want to make sure I'm clear -- I never, ever had given up. Battling obesity is a hard gig so sometimes these types of breaks are necessary. My health and wellness can't be measured in days, weeks, or months. I've made a conscious effort to change my life for the better -- I want this healthy lifestyle forever.  Today, I am refocused, refreshed, renewed and ready to go to the next level.

Thanks to the search and rescue team for finding and revitalizing me.

My Playhouse

Oh how, I miss my playhouse, the gym. Since I started classes in the Fitness Trainer program six weeks ago. Ironically, working out has not been a priority. I think I've worked out maybe four times. Surely, exercise goes beyond the gym I know that. I do workout in my Exercise Techniques class and I walk the campus at a brisk pace, but it's still not the same.

The walls of 24-Hour Fitness Columbia Tech Center is where I've turned a lot of negative into tons of positive. I learned a lot about myself in the very walls of that gym. I found myself in some compromising positions in boot camp, cycling, Yoga, and even Zumba. Sweating. Panting. Being pushed to the limit. Training with Steve always is a good time, but it's not easy work. He asks me to do things I would never do on my own. He's right there telling me, I can, when I'm on the brink of giving in to fatigue, embarrassment, or both.

For me working out has become a major part of my life. I'm the gal who typically works out five to six times a week. I'm the gal who three weeks after having a metal plate with 14 screws inserted in her leg to reattach the tibia was at the gym doing upper body workouts. I'm the gal at 294 lbs. who stood at the front of the room her very first time in Zumba class. I'm the gal who graces the wall of 24 Hour Fitness as a Member Success Story. I'm the gal who gets it in -- no matter. What happened to that gal? She still exist she's just dormant right now. I just can't DO everything. There's only 24 hours in a day. I do what I can -- I watch my diet. Like, Steve, says it doesn't matter what I do at the gym, but it does matter what I eat. So I've made sure that during this weeks I've buttoned up my nutrition.

I've met some wonderful like-minded people at the gym. I've even received emails over the last few weeks from some of them saying they miss me -- totally cool. The gym is so much more to me than just a place to workout. It's a place where I go to connect. A place I  go to have fun, hang out, and get my workout on. I miss sweating, pushing my limits, and chatting it up with my gym buddies. I'm starting to have some major withdrawals. I'll make my way back to my playhouse soon, real soon. Until then...hold it down for me y'all.

Like minds

I believe I've mentioned this before, I ♥ working out! As a fat person with a slothenly attitude I avoided physical activity like the plague. And, the gym would have of course been out of the question. Now, that I'm on a mission to live a healthy, active lifestyle I love going to the gym. The gym is my playhouse. I get my exercise on, chat with folks, and share ideas. The gym is the place where I feel like I'm a part of the team --the team that I was not a part of in my youth.

At the gym, we all are working towards the same ultimate goal - to be fit and healthy. As I'm getting my work out on, I like glaring around the gym and watching everyone else's workout routine. The buffed guy back in the corner hitting the hang cleans. The toned female taking the length of the gym doing lunges with weights in her hands. The not so sure lady on the treadmill going at a snail's pace. No matter, we are all there trying. I love it. Love it. Love it.

Those who know me, know I'm not shy. So it's pretty easy for me to conjure up conversation and boy do I. I've made so many acquaintances and friends at my gym. I've gotten some useful tips and info from inside the walls of 24 Hour-Fitness. For me it's been important to surround myself with folks that are like minded. Sure, not everyone at the gym is exactly on the same level or page as me, but for the most part, most are and I need positive, encouraging folks to keep me focused. It's too hard otherwise. Again, I say, I ♥ working out and hanging with folks that have like minds.

Just ask and you shall receive

I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, but beyond my pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. I also am dealing with normal everyday life: Single mother raising a teenage daughter who graduates from high school in two weeks, juggling finances, household chores, and of course in the midst of all this rehabbing a fractured leg while trying to stay focused on my nutrition and stay active. It makes sense every now and then my system crashes. So last week after discovering "I'm NOT what I use to be" I decided to take some time to regroup, refresh, renew. Well, it turns out I spent most of the time self destructing: Sleeping too much, eating too much, and being highly self-critical. It wasn't until yesterday when I finally decided - enough.

One of the things that has changed about me during this transition to a healthier lifestyle is my snap back time. If I  encounter a bump in the road, I don't sulk long and I'm not afraid to seek help if I'm feeling vulnerable. I recently read an article that discussed the importance of weight loss support groups - that's one of the reasons groups like Weight Watchers are so effective and popular - the support system. Some folks like the accountability, receiving advice, and praise.

So yesterday, a week into my state of funk I knew I was at an all time low. Normally, I can self-motivate. I mean, who better to pump me up than me? Well, it wasn't working. My system had crashed and I needed to reboot. Instead, of continuing to eat, sulk, eat. I called the help desk and got my assistant coach, Steve (Personal Trainer) on the line for some much needed support. I met Steve at 24 Hour Fitness several months ago and he instantly started helping me with nutrition, exercise tips, and he's one heck of a motivator. One of the things I like about him is he's non-judgmental. I can tell him exactly how I feel -- and boy do I tell him. He never looks down on me (He seems to understand a big girl's plight). He turns my negativity around and pushes me in the right direction. Yesterday was no different he reminded me of all that I've accomplished and gave me a gentle push.What stands out most from our conversation was him saying " It's really is a battle of you versus you." By golly, he's right I'm in control of my own destiny. That's exactly why I called him. The old me would've stayed in the self-destructive state and not have asked for help. The new me recognizes I can't do this alone nor do I have to. I have a team of supportive, encouraging people who are willing to help me. Just ask and you shall receive.

Pleased as Punch!

I’m feeling mighty good. Let me count the ways…

1. The blog has a small but steady readership – thanks!
2. Farewell Fatso’s Facebook page is just shy of 100 “likes”

3. To date, I’ve lost 141 lbs. and counting…

4. I can officially fit into a department store sized large shirt

5. My BIG wardrobe is gone forever

6. My outreach continues to work. Last week another friend decided to join the gym – citing my diligent FB posts as one of her reasons. I’ve recruited at least four people that I know of.                      

7. And, last but not least my success story now graces the walls of 24-Hour Fitness.

Yep, I’m kinda like a rock star. Seriously, what a great honor to have my story featured on 24-Hour’s Member Success Story wall. It feels good to know that my hard work is noticed and finally I didn’t even have to self-promote (smile).

I’m so thrilled to have you all to share my story with, it cleanses and motivates me. I hope I continue to inspire, and inform you all. Just a heads up, I’ll be taking about a week off from blogging to revamp the blog. I plan to add more childhood obesity related materials, recipes, and information about the highly controversial school lunch programs. Y’all ready to start a movement? Until then check out Farewell Fatso’s FB page for updates.